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An August 2006 fire that destroyed the main sanctuary and lower level of Highland Park Conservative Temple, followed by a merger with South River's Congregation Anshe Emeth and a nearly four-year rebuilding process, has represented a pivotal chapter in the synagogue's history.

That chapter came to a close on May 2, as Highland Park Conservative Temple-Congregation Anshe Emeth (HPCT-CAE) thanked the numerous contributors of what it called the Livnot (Hebrew for "to build") Campaign and dedicated its new facility. "This is our story now," Rabbi Eliot Malomet, the synagogue's leader, told a packed main sanctuary. "This is the story that has stamped itself on our lives."

Shofar blowing and a Torah processional kicked off a lively ceremony that lasted for most of the morning. One by one, those who gave of their funds and their time to making the new building possible came to the bimah to be recognized, while speakers recalled both the fire's immediate aftermath and how the new building became a reality. Interspersed with the presentations, Cantor Michael Weis led the crowd in songs of joy.

Emergency responders were able to save all nine of the shul's Torahs the day of the fire, the first evidence of how every part of the greater Highland Park community -- including other synagogues, the Jewish federation, and borough employees and agencies -- made sure the synagogue got back on its feet, Highland Park Mayor Stephen Nolan said.

"From the very beginning, our community's response made clear that this congregation would emerge even stronger," Nolan said.

"This building could burn down 100 times, and it would not dampen the kinds of connections that we have made in this community," he said.

Immediately after the fire, the synagogue's services, classes, and programs all continued in the former YM/YWHA of Raritan Valley and Highland Park High School. Congregants were finally able to return to their main sanctuary this past Rosh Hashanah. One of the lessons the synagogue learned over the last few years was that no matter what happens, the "rhythm of Jewish life goes on," Malomet said.

The congregation was able to put the fire in perspective, Malomet said, because the Jewish People have undergone many traumatic experiences over time, and while this fire was indeed traumatic, nobody was physically hurt and it was something from which the community was able to recover.

"The absence of a building only posed a minor logistical problem," Malomet said.

Throughout the rebuilding process, culminating with the dedication 1,346 days after the fire, the community also learned that "it takes a village to build a shul," Malomet said. The first contributors recognized were Helen and Michael Kaplan, who sponsored what is now called the Kaplan-Rutman Sanctuary. As children of Holocaust survivors, the Kaplans understand that "this moment of dedication is really part of their answer to history," Malomet said.

The synagogue's Arline and Henry Schwartzman Library, sponsored by Arline in line with her "life of philanthropy" dedicated to creating special spaces, "will be gracious and beautiful in the spirit it was given to our shul," Malomet said. Tabak Hall, a social hall for bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings, kiddushes, Passover seders, Shabbat dinners, and other synagogue functions, was sponsored by Harriet and Joseph Tabak, who "love life," are "good people," and "know how to have a great time," Malomet said.

Malomet moved on to families who sponsored the lobby, kitchen, bimah, ner tamid (eternal flame), and practically every other important element of the shul. Without all the financial support, "we would still have a very nice drawing," he said.

Synagogue members also didn't hesitate to volunteer their services for the rebuilding. Alan Gordon worked with insurance adjusters after the fire, Bruce Nadler made sure the shul had new phones and Internet access, attorney Roy Tanzman (president of the New Jersey State Association of Jewish Federations) handled the closing for the new building, Gary Schwartz helped with zoning applications, Philip Goldwasser installed the sound system, Brian Kheel oversaw the restoration of stained glass windows, and handyman Alvin Tondow made sure the shul has "a building that works and doesn't fall apart," Malomet said.

Mitchel Rosen, who served as volunteer coordinator for the Livnot Campaign by gathering information on the shul's needs and relaying it to architects Michael Callori and Kenneth Kaufer, said the new building "weaves the fabric of our community into the design." The fire was a tragedy, but also an opportunity for members to think about what they needed and what was feasible for their new space, he said.

"We wanted a lot," Rosen said. "We got all we asked for and more."

Many people doubted that the sanctuary would be complete by Rosh Hashanah last year, but builders Kenneth Visbeen and Mark Vanderwhite said it would be and delivered on that promise, Rosen said.

"I was able to feel the excitement, the buzz, as we all entered the new lobby, and then entered the sanctuary for the first time," Rosen said of Rosh Hashanah.

Sam Kamens, a past synagogue president, said Rosen was "not just a natural choice, but a perfect one" to be the volunteer coordinator. By doing so, Rosen essentially took on another full-time job, on top of coaching a little league baseball team and organizing his daughter's bat mitzvah. Additionally, Rosen's father Gerald was an "ace in the hole" during the process because, as an architect, Gerald gave the shul constant advice on the construction, Kamens said. The Rosens were honored with a stone of the shul's Livnot Wall, which recognizes the project's contributors.

Gayle Mittler, a Highland Park councilwoman and past synagogue president, said that the strength of the congregation and the borough go hand in hand, because Highland Park looks to HPCT-CAE members as a source of leadership.

"Whether you as a congregant live here or not, as a member of this shul, you are an honorary resident of Highland Park," Mittler said.

Mittler thanked Meryl Frank, Highland Park's mayor at the time of the fire and now U.S. representative to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, for "being there for us, emotionally, and as our mayor." U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (N.J.-6) was also on hand, and said he knows the new building will be an "ecumenical place" where congregants will teach Jews of all traditions as well as gentiles the importance of religion.

Rabbi Yaacov Hilsenrath, who led the congregation for 30 years before Malomet, wasn't able to attend the ceremony, but his wife Devorah said "he is celebrating with us." Rabbi Hilsenrath "spent some three decades teaching Torah to three generations," Devorah said, and the synagogue's new beit midrash is named in his honor.

Malomet called on all synagogue members to stand up and be recognized, starting with congregants in their 90s and moving down decade by decade. He also led the lighting of the Ruth Berkowitz Menorah, named for a founding member who died in the summer of 2005. The menorah lighting "connects us with our past and enables us to remember our founding generations," Malomet explained; on a day of joy, it's important to recall synagogue members who died both before and after the fire and didn't live to see the celebration, he said.

Couples came up to light candles representing the values it took to rebuild the synagogue, including dedication, community, wisdom, continuity, leadership, klal yisrael, service, and gratitude. Carl Levy, current synagogue president, expressed his gratitude to Malomet for being the one constant throughout the rebuilding, saying that "simply put, it takes a rabbi to build a shul."

Rabbi William Lebeau, former dean of the Jewish Theological Seminary, called Malomet a "prophet," recalling how when he talked with Malomet after the fire, the rabbi was confident that everything would be all right because of the strength of his congregation.

"He could see the light that became the beauty, the magnificence of this place," Lebeau, who issued the benediction towards the end of the ceremony, said.

Rabbi Aaron Benson, leader of East Brunswick Jewish Center, recalled the "joint cooperation among the synagogues of Middlesex County," several of which let HPCT-CAE use their facilities after the fire. Benson told the crowd to let the dedication serve as a constant reminder to re-dedicate themselves, and overcome pessimism and apathy.

"This sanctuary stands as a testament to this community's ability to be agents of God's will," Benson said. "Let this be merely the start of the miracles you work together in this world."